Ophthalmic lens



June 8, 1948. w. H. GLAZER 2,442,849

OPHTHALMIC LENS Filed July 11, 1944 2 SheetsSheet l abjccf Corrected Uncorrecfca! Lens 06 'ccf A; 0 I m y INVENTOR NIY/I'am If. Glaser June 8,1948. w. H. GLAZER 2,442,849

OPHTHALMIC LENS Filed July 11, 1944 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 JNVENTOR WILL MM H. 64 4215/2 Patented June 8, 1948 OPHTHALMIC LENS William H. Glazer, Philadelphia, Pa., assignor of ten per cent to Harry Langsam, Philadelphia,

Application July 11, 1944, Serial No. 544,390

1 Claim. 1

My invention relates to ophthalmic lenses and relates particularly to a method for producing balanced binocular vision into one or more zones or areas of use away from the limited central zone of use in the lens. This is a continuation in part of my application Serial No. 433,150, filed March 3, 1942, now abandoned.

Prismatic differences in ophthalmic lenses, may unless corrected, disrupt binocular function, create intolerable eye strain, create double vision, and progressively cause theloss of sight in one eye; v or the prismatic differences may invite or facilitate the progress of an ocular pathology by establishing a perverted physiology; and it is not unreasonable to assume that remote and unsuspected disturbances, flowing from a constant cerebral irritation, may be linked to the uncorrected prismatic differences.

It is an object of my invention to provide ophthalmic balanced binocular vision into one or more zones of use away from the limited central zone of use.

Another object of my invention is to provide an accurate manner of grinding an optical lens which will have a specified prism in an annular zone away from the central zone.

Another object of my invention is to provide understood from the following description, when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawing, in which:

Fig. 1 is a front view of an ophthalmic lens showing different corrected zones of usefulness. Fig. 2 is a sectional view taken along the line 2-'-2 of Fig. 1 and showing in addition to the aforementioned the various centers of curvatures on the lens.

Fig. 3 shows a front view of an ophthalmic lens wherein the image is for a negative lens.

Fig. 4 is a sectional View taken along the line 4-4 of Fig. 3 wherein the various centers of curvature for the lens are shown.

Fig. 5 is a side elevational view of an ophthalmic lens having the central zone of the same refractive power as the lens in Fig. 6 but wherein the outer zone is uncorrected, thus showing that the image is displaced at a greater relative distance from the object than the corrected lens of Fig. 5.

Fig. 6 is a side elevational view through an ophthalmic lens showing in exaggerated position an image of an object slightly displaced from the object.

Fig. '7 is a perspective view of a pair of eyes in antimetropia and a pair of eyeglasses for such eyes of the prior art type.

Fig. 8 is a perspective view of a pair of eyes in anisometropia and glasses therefor, wherein the eyes are under binocular muscle strain in eccentric vision.

For the purpose of better illustrating the application of my invention to ophthalmic lenses, I shall analyze how prismatic differences occur in an illustrative prescription:

R. E 5.00 D. s. L. E. 2.00 D. :5. (Right eye) (Diopter (Left eye) sphere) If the above prescription is filled by the ordinary process of grinding lenses and taking a possible tolerable limiting prism difference of one prism-diopter (abbreviated A or P. D.) for binocular function, the binocular zonal limit will be on a radius extending 3% millimeters from the center of the lens. The limiting prismdifference of one prism diopter for bin-ocular function is determined in accordance with Prentices law for calculating prismatic effects of ophthalmic lenses.

Prentices law:

P=F distance P in prism-diopter F in refraction-diopters for each lens times distance in centimeters from optical center. i

Therefore, the central zone diameter or usefulness, having a one-prism diopter'of difference as the limit of optical difference in the vertical meridian is not more than six and two-thirds millimeters.

The limit of vertical prismatic differences where intolerable double vision must occur is three prism-diopters, based on physiological law as applied to young, healthy, vigorous eyes.

In the prescription above set forth, the limit of three prism-diopters of vertical prismatic difference occurs at a point ten millimeters below or above the optical center of the correction system; and the ten millimeters point of three prismdiopters of prismatic difference is a common point of binocular use for reading.

Assuming that the desired distance above and below the optical centers where binocular vision is to take place, as in the act of reading or for some other occupational purpose, is ten millimeters, it is necessary to efliciently grind the ophthalmic lens and to produce a definite prismatic action at the prescribed distance away from the optical center of the lens, which system of ophthalmic lenses will satisfy or create prismatic balance at the prescribed distance away from the optical center of the system.

Further assuming that we are given a definite radius of curvature as for the second surface of a prescribed lens where the problem is to introduce the prism of given magnitude and direction beginning at a specified distance from the optical center, in this instance, 5 millimeters.

R2-the inner radius of curvature n'index of lens n-index of air Fzrefracting power of second surface of lens Referring to the drawing, in Figs. 1 and 2, the lens L is a plus or positive lens where a real image appears, and Figs. 3 and 4 is a negative lens Ll wherein a virtual image appears. The optic axis of each lens is represented by the straight line AZX. The centers of curvature of both lens surfaces SI and S2 of the lens lies on the straight line AZX. The center of curvature of lens surface Si is Cl and the center of curvature of lens surface S2 is C2. An arc B, Bl having a radius RI is drawn so that the center CI of the arc is on the straight line A2X. An are D, D! forming the curvature of a part of the surface S2 has a radius C2112 which equals R2] With A? as a center and using a radius of 5 millimeters, draw a circle concentric in respect to the center of the lens, as in Fig. 1. With a radius R2 which is the radius of curvature of the sunface D, A2, DI and with centers at A3 and A4, describe auxiliary arcs ZIZI and Z222 intersecting at C2, Fig. 2.

The lens surface SI in section is shown by an are designated as Bl-Bl, and the radius ClAl of the arc BB| is designated as R! with its center at Cl on the horizontal line AZX. The second lens surface S2 in section is shown by an arc designated as D -Dl, and the radius C2A2 of the arc DDl is designated as R2 with its center on the horizontal line AZX.

A central circle I is drawn on the representation of the surface of the lens with a radius of millimeters as shown in Figs. 1 and 3. This central circle l0 designates the limits of the diopter power of the lens as originally found, and will not be altered.

To produce in each lens a balanced prismatic effect, it is necessary to alter the deviation of the light rays through the area outside of the central zone of the lens. This alteration of the lens outside of the central zone is brought about in the following manner:

An auxiliary arc ZIZl is drawn by using a radius R2 equal to the distance between C2A2, but wherein the lowermost point A3 of circle 10 on the surface S2 is used as the center of the auxiliary arc ZIZI 'A second auxiliary arc Z2Z2 is drawn by using a radius R equal to the distance between C2A2, but wherein the uppermost point Ad on the circle ii], on the surface S2, is used as the center of the auxiliary arc Z222. The arcs ZIZI and Z2Z2 intersect substantially on the centerpoint C2 in the case of the positive lens, Fig. 2, and on the center point Cl in the case of the negative lens, Fig. 4.

It is an optically derived formula that the power of a prism in prism-diopters (10) is (Southall, page 137) p=(n1)B 1.745 (where B is the refracting angle of any prism in degrees).

If 6 equals B 1.745, then it is also equal to p/(n'1) prism-diopters, the value of the reduction prism required.

A=FX Cm where A=induced prismatic effect of a lens F=power of a lens Cm=decentration from the center of lens in centimeters The conversion factor 1.745 in the formula is obtained in the following manner: The radian equals 57.4 degrees. The hundredth part of a radian equivalent to one prism diopters is 0.57 degree; or one degree is equal to 1.745 prism diopters. If the refracting angle is given in degrees, then its equivalent in prism-diopters is that angle in degrees multiplied by 1.745.

Thus, if p is 3 prism-diopters, then 0 the reduction angle in prism-diopters is 3/ (n-l); and if n, the index of optical glass is 1.523, 0 equals 3/0523, or 5.75 prism-diopters.

Finally, since 1 prism-diopter is equivalent to radian, 5.75 prism-cliopters is equivalent to 0.0575 radians. The length of the arc equals the radius of the surface multiplied by the angle subtended, when the angle is measured in radians. Arc=R radians. Therefore, an arc C2C3 for a radius of surface S2 of 86.66 millimeters is 86.66 mm. 0.0575, or 4.98 millimeters; that is, the length of arc C203 is 4.98 millimeters. That is the length of the arc C203 is obtained by mathematical calculation and the point C3 is obtained by stepping off the length of the arc C203 along the arc ZIC2.

With C3 thus determined, and as a center, and with a radius R2=C2A2, strike off arc A3El. Angle BIA3EI equal to 0, the required reduction prism in prism-diopters.

In the same manner, the locus of C4 on the auxiliary arc C2Z2 for determining the surface A4 3 is obtained.

In Figs. 2 and 4, the angle 0 is shown as the reduction angle, that is the angle by which the outer edge of the positive lens of Fig. 2 is increased and the outer edge of the negative lens of Fig. 4 is decreased. The angle 0 is calculated, as hereinb-efore described in considerable detail, so that the length of the arc, in radians, C2C3 is obtained by calculation-likewise the length of the arc Cl,C4 along the arc Z2Z2 locates the same reduction angle for the upper edge of the lens. After the reduction angle 0 is found and Although the reduction angle dis shown, in

Figs. 2 and 4, as appearing on a plane the reduction angle is placed around the=entire edge, outwardly of the central circle l forcorrection Purposes.

Hence, the required lens L having the required balanced zones will have a curvature of arcBl, if

Al, Bl as one surface and a second surface defined by the arcs E, A2, and El, as in Fig. 2, with the required thickness of the lens as determined by the above-defined procedure,

With the above-defined necessary information, templates may be formed of each defining surface so the lens grinder may simultaneously grind the central zone and the peripheral zone, using the templates obtained. The template formed has the configuration in cross section of one of the inner or outer surfaces as illustrated in Figs. 1 to 4 inclusive for the purpose of grinding that particular surface of the lens. ished lens carries the required balancing prism of constant magnitude throughout the entire peripheral segment of the lens, thereby achieving balanced binocular vision in more than one zone of probable use.

The practical effect of the lens ground according to the above-defined procedure is that it creates a lens of central circular zone used for binocular purposes up to the radius of the limiting prismatic difference, and an annular zone of use bounded by top and bottom limits.

According to the attached analysis, Examples I, II and III, of several types of corrections,.it will be seen that not only are the vertical and horizontal prismatic differences composed throughout the entire field of binocular use where the corrections are dissimilar spherical powers, it is shown also in rather extreme asti matic correction differences that the vertical differences are at least best composed throughout the entire field by the grinding of the second surface with the tool above'set forth. This type of tool can be utilized in all prescriptions wherev the prismatic difference in the vertical meridian is one-half prism-diopter or more.

It should be noted that this mode of lens development creates a reduction in the total prism in the lens of maximum plus power. In effect, there is introduced a base-down prism required to balance the difference in induced prismatic effects of the two lenses. Physiologically and hygienically, this is desirable, because it obviates maximum, though balanced, depression of the two eyes if the prism were ground base-up in the weaker lens.

For the same reason, this mode of lens development treats the first surface of the lens of maximum minus power, reducing the maximum basedown effect of the balanced pair of lenses.

Where the difference in powers of the two correction lenses is considerable, these reduction effects are increasingly important for the reasons above given.

Not only does this mode of lens development take into account balancing of the prismatic efbest possible maintenance of the binocular function into the oblique fields, as when looking downward to the right or to the left at angles 45 or 135 with a constant radius as the center of limits of tolerance.

The attached sheets show an analysis of several types of prescriptions, which are Examples there is shown the resolved prismatic effects at these co-ordinates of a constant balancing prism required as a first demand to satisfy balance of the vertical prismatic differences induced by the prescription lenses.

There is shown the individual net prismatic effects of each lens, as a summation; then there is shown the net prismatic effects of the binocular system for the given co-ordinates. Finally, there is' shown the net effects for the given'coordinates where no attempt at prismatic balance occurs as occurs today as a matter of almost universal ignorance of these effects when prescribing ophthalmic lenses.

In Figs. 3 and 4 where a minus lens is illustrated, not only is'a lens produced havi ng a balanced system, but the lens hasareduced Thus, the fin-- 7 high negative power).

peripheral thickness. The lens also has a wider field with a minimum deviation in symmetry (ordinary balanced system, i. e. when the correction for each eye is the same but ofunusually Thus, 0.;U. prescription for both eyes-6.00 (D. S.) at 10 mm, downior up, the induced symmetric prism value for each lens is 6.00 prism diopters, base-down.- With the abc'ive-mentioned correction, the edge thickness and total deviation may be reduced at'will.

In Figs. 3 and 4, the same reference characters as used in Figs. 1 and 2 indicate the samecenters, distances, radius of curvature arcs, surfaces and 5 zones with the following exceptionsthe arcuate surfaces F and Fl, which are the corrective surfaces for a negative lens obtained by the same method as the corrective. surface E of Fig. 2 is found. However, in the negative lens of Fig. 4, the corrective surfaces F and Fl reducethe outer thickness of the uncorrected lens, whereas the corrective surfaces El and El'in the positive lens add to the outer thickness of what would be the uncorrected lens. The center C3 in-both Figs. 2 and 4 locate the surfaces El andFl respectively,

and the center C4 locatesthe outer surfaces E and F in Figs. 2 and 4, respectively,

From the limits of permissible prism-difference on circle ID to the new zone of binocular use, there will be an area of transition with prismatic effects which are tolerable; the transitionzone occurs between point A3 on circle Ill and point A5 on circle l2 in the lower hemisphere and between point A4 on circle l0 and point AB 'on circle M in the upper hemisphere. By virtue of the correction hereinbefore applied the area defined between circles l2 and I4 possesses a satisfactory prismatic balance which is comparable to the central zone. Between circle [4 and the periphery l6 of each lens L and LI is an uncorrected zone which may be'removed. 7

'Hence, the zone between circles l2 and 14 contains the'zone of entire balance in its median and the permissible prism-difference in the-zonal limits. 7 g

It should be understood that in no sense is this lens to be regarded as a bifocal. The refracting power throughout the lens remains-unaltered; but the prismatic powers are 'so controlled as to establish prismatic balance with the other lens into'specifiecl points of binocular use away from the center.

Example 1 Rip: R. E., 200 D. S. L. E., 5.00 D. S. 1

(Right eye) (Left eye) Lower right divergence-convergence (r, 8 mm.-0, 45) (co-ordinates) Net, for system- N o zonal correction (net 0. U.) (both eyes)".

Lower left divergenceconvergence (r, 8 mm.6, 135) 1.14 prism base up 2.85 prism base up 1.80 prism base down 1.05 prism base up 0.09 prism base up (R) 1.71 prism base up (L) 1.14 prism base in 2.85 prism base out 1.80 prism base in 1.05 prism base out 0.09 prism base in 1.71 prism base out (L) 1.14 prism base up 1.14 prism base out 2.85 prism base up 2.85 prism base in p 1.80 prism base down 1.80 prism base out 4. Net left prism 1.05 prism base up 1.05 prism base in 5. Net, for system 0.09 prism base up 0.09 prism base out 6. No zonal correction (net 0. U.) 1.71 prism base up (L) 1.71 prism base in (L) A comparison of 5 and 6 shows at a glance the enormous advantage of a complete zonal prismatic balance at given co-ordinates.

Example II Rx.: R. E.+3.00 D. S.+1.00 axis 1.80 D. Q.

(Diopter spherical) (Diopter cylindrical) L. E.+2.00 D. S.+0.50 axis 90 D. C

Lower right divergence-convergence r, 8 mm.8, 45

1 R. E. (D. S 1.74 prism base up 1.74 prism base in 2. R. E. (D 0.58 prism base up 0.58 prism base in 2.32 prism base up 2.32 prism base in 4. 1.16 prism base up 1.16 prism base out 5. 0.00 prism base up 0.29 prism base out 6. 1.16 prism base up 1.45 prism base out 7. 0.58 prism base down 0.58 prism base out 8. 0.58 prism base up (R) 0.20 prism base in 9. 1.74 prism base up 1.74 prism base in 10. 1.16 prism base up 0.87 prism base in Lower leit divergence-convergence r, 8 mm.0, 135

1 1.74 prism base up 1.74 prism base out 2. 0.58 prism base up 0.58 prism base out 3. 2.32 prism base up 2.32 prism base out 4, 1.16 prism base up 1.16 prism base out 5. 0.00 prism base up 0.29 prism base in 6. 1.16 prism base up 1.45 prism base in 7 0.58 prism base down 0.58 prism base in 8. Net, for system 0.58 prism base up 0.29 prism base out 9. Net, right prism 1.74 prism base up 1.74 prism base out 10. No zonal correction (ne U.) 1.16 prism base up 0.87 prism base out Example III Rx.: R. E.-050 D. S. )1.75 D. 0. axis 60 L. E.0.75 D. S. )+7.00 D. 0. axis 15 Lower right divergence-convergence r, 8 min-6, 45 1 1, 0.29 prism base down 0.29 prism base out 2 0.18 prism base up- 0.32 prism base our; 0.11 prism base down 0.61 prism base out 4 0.43 prism base down 0.43 prism base in 5. 2.65 prism base up 0.43 prism base in G. Total (L.) 2.22 prism base up 1.20 prism base in 7. Resolved prism, 525 left 3.80 prism base down 3.80 prism base in 8. Net, left prism 1.58 prism base down 5.00 prism base in 9. Net, for system 1.47 prism base down 4.39 prism base in 11). No zonal correction (net 0. U.) 2.33 0.59

Lower left divergence-convergence 4.8 mm.6, 135

Resolved prism, Net left prism... Net for system 10.. No Zonal correction (net 0.

It is to be observed that correction for each lens is made, but the value of the corrections is dependent upon the binocular systemof both eyes, when both lenses are considered. Hence, it is to be noticed that the prismatic effect of each lens is controlled to establish prismatic balance between both lenses in a specified zone of binocular use away from the center of each lens. The correction made to each lens, as has been described and illustrated in Figs. 2 and 4, has been particularly applied to an individual lens, but it isto be remembered that the making of the lens hasbeen dependent upon the binocular systemof both eyes.

Figs. 2 and 4 sh0w sectional views but the application of the prismatic change is applied to the annular or circumferential surface of each 7 0.29 prism base down 0. 0.67 prism base down 1. 0.96 prism base down 1. 0.43 prism base clown 0. 4.55 prism base up 1 4.12 prism base up 1. 3.80 prism base down 3.

0.32 prism base up 2 prism base in prism base in prism base in prism base in prism base in prism base in prism base out prism base out .76 prism .04 prism base in lens around the entire lens, and away from the center of the lens; or the shape of the lens is that of a segment of a sphere.

Although my invention has been described in considerable detail, such description is intended as illustrative rather than limiting, since the invention is to be determined as claimed.

I claim as my invention:

A pair of prescribed ophthalmic lenses having a considerable difference of power therebetwe'en for binocular use in front of a persons eyes, each lens having a central zone of vision and at least one of said lenses having a modified peripheral concentric annular zone having the same power as the central Zone, said peripheral zone constructed to reduce the difference in prismatic power between the two lenses as ordinarily encountered when the eyes are directed through peripheral portions of said lenses in substantially all meridians, said peripheral zone of said last mentioned lens being continuous with and contiguous to the limit of the central zone, said modified annular zone having its surface at the same radius of curvature as that of the central zone but having offset centers of curvatures displaced eccentrically to the center of curvature of the central zone whereby the induced prismatic difference between the two lenses when viewing an object binocularly through said peripheral zone does not exceed approximately one prismdiopter.

WILLIAM H. GLAZER.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

10 UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 836,486 Conner Nov. 20, 1906 932,965 Conner Aug. 31, 1909 1,286,032 Laisne Nov. 26, 1918 1,302,960 Paige May 6, 1919 1,340,715 Hill May 18, 1920 1,393,853 Tillyer Oct. 18, 1921 1,569,258 Bugbee Jan. 12, 1926 1,731,419 Hill et a1 Oct. 15, 1929 2,040,242 Courmetles May 12, 1936 2,077,092 Broder Apr. 13, 1937 2,101,016 Beach Dec. 7, 1937 2,109,474 Evans Mar. 1, 1938 2,310,925 Bardwell Feb. 16, 1943 OTHER REFERENCES Bugbee (pub.) Bifocals (One Piece Bi-focal Lens (30., Indianapolis, Indiana, 1923), 76 pages 20 pages 39 and 40 especially cited. 

